Module III Soil Exploration and

Geophysical Investigation
 Content
 Types of foundation

 Factors affecting the selection of type of foundations

 steps in choosing types of foundation based on soil

condition
 Definition
A structure essentially consists of two parts, namely the super
structure which is above the plinth level and the substructure
which is below the plinth level.

The general misconception is that the structural element which

transmits the load to the soil (such as a footing) is the
foundation.

Substructure is otherwise known as the foundation and this

forms the base for any structure. Generally it covers about 25-
35% of the total construction cost.

The soil on which the foundation rests is called the “foundation

soil”
 Objectives of a foundation
A foundation serves the following purposes:

• To distribute the total load coming on the structure on a larger

area.

• To support the structures.

• To give enough stability to the structures against various

disturbing forces, such as wind and rain.

• To prepare a level surface for concreting and masonry work

 Types of foundation
Foundations can be can be categorized into basically two types: Shallow and
Deep

Shallow foundation: These types of foundations are so called because they are
placed at a shallow depth (relative to their dimensions) beneath the soil surface.
Their depth may

range from the top soil surface to about 3 times their breadth

Spread footings

Combined footings

Strap or cantilever footings

Mat or raft foundation

Spread Footing: Spreads the super-imposed load of a wall or
a column over a larger Area.

Used where the loads are light or there are strong shallow
soils.

Spread footing may be of the following types –

Grillage foundation
Strip footing Isolated footing Spread footing
Combined footings : Are preferred when 2 individual column are close to each other. Provided when
bearing capacity of soil is less, requiring more area required under individual footing.
Combined footing may be rectangular, trapezoidal or column-wall.
If the columns carry equal loads, the footing is of rectangular shape, otherwise its trapezoidal shape
Strap or cantilever footings: Independent
footings of two columns are connected by a
beam. The strap beam does not remain in
contact with soil, and thus does not transfer
any pressure to the soil.
Mat or raft foundation: it is a combined footing
that covers the entire area beneath a structure
and supports all the walls and columns.

Used on soft or loose soils with low bearing

capacity as they can spread loads over larger area.

To avoid differential settlement

Deep foundation: They are called deep foundation because
they are embedded very deep (relative to their dimensions) into
the soil.

Their depths may run over several 10s of meters. They are
usually used when the top soil layer have low bearing capacity.

Pile foundation

Pier foundation

Caisson

Well foundation
Unlike shallow foundations, deep foundations distribute

the load of Superstructure into the ground vertically

rather than laterally.

Soil Types and Foundation
Consideration
Possible Solutions to some
Problems in Foundations
 Factors Considered for Selection
of Foundation Type
• Economy
• Importance of the Building
• Life of the Structure
• Loads from superstructure
• Type of construction materials to be used.
• Water table level.
• Type of adjoining structure.
• Ground/soil conditions
• Location of building
 Selection of foundation based on different types
of soil
Foundations are recommended based on the different soil types:

Hard soil (rocks, hard sound chalk, sand and gravel, sand and gravel with little
clay content, and dense silty sand)

Uniform firm and stiff clay

Soft soils (soft clay, soft silty clay, soft sandy clay, and soft silty sand)

Peat
 1. Hard soils
The following types of foundations are suitable for this type of soil:
 Strip foundation

 Pad foundation

 Raft foundation.
The following factors shall be taken into account while foundation type is
selected:
 Minimum depth of 500 mm shall be used for foundation if the area prone to
frost so as to protect the foundation.

 Strip or trench base shall be kept above groundwater table if possible.

 Sand slopes possibly eroded by surface water, so protect foundation by

perimeter drainage.

 Weathered rock needs to be given proper attention

 2. Uniform firm and stiff clay
1. Where trees are cut down shortly before the foundation
construction begin:
Recommended foundation
Reinforced concrete pile in previously tree root zone

Strip foundation

Raft foundation

Factor needed to be taken into accounted

Piles shall be tied properly into suspended reinforced concrete slabs or ground beams.

Sufficient length of slab shall be provided to withstand clay heave force.

Special pile design may be needed for clay slopes greater than 1 in 10 because creep
possibly occur. In few cases, reinforced trench fill could be employed.
2. Where the foundation is not close to vegetation or existing vegetation is not
important.

Recommended foundations

• Strip foundation

• Pad foundation

• Raft foundation

Factors to be considered in this case are as follow

Minimum depth to underside of foundation shall be 900mm.

When strip foundation is construction in desiccated clay in dry soil, then the foundation

shall be loaded with building prior to the return of rains.

3. Where trees, hedges, and shrubs are close to foundation
location, or there is a plan to plant these trees near the structure
in the future.

Recommended foundation
• Concrete piles supporting reinforced concrete ground beams and precast
concrete floor

• Concrete piles carrying in situ concrete slab

• Specially designed trench fills in certain clay soil based on the foundation location
relative to trees

• Raft foundation
 Soft Soil:
This category includes soft clay, soft silty clay, soft sandy clay, and
soft silty sand.
Recommended foundations
• Wide strip footing
• Raft foundation
• Pile to firmer strata below
• For smaller projects use pier and beam foundation to firm strata
Factors to be considered
• Wide strip footing is used when bearing capacity is sufficient and
predicted settlement is acceptable.
• Strip footing shall be reinforced based on the thickness and projection
beyond wall face.
• Frequently, Sub-soil can be improved using vibro treatment, and it
would an economical solution if employed in conjunction with strip or
raft foundation.
 Peat
Recommended foundations
• Concrete piles extended to the firm soil layer below
• For small projects, pad and beam foundation taken to firm strata blow.
• Raft foundation for the case where firm strata is not available at
reasonable depth but there is hard surface crust with 3-4m thick of
suitable bearing capacity.
Factors to be considered
• Pile types include bored cast in place with temporary casing, driven
cast in place, and driven precast concrete.
• Allow for peat consolidation drag on piles
• Special high grade and protection is likely to be required in aggressive
peats.
• If peat layer is shallow over firm layer of soil, dig it out and replace it
with compacted fill. For this, use raft or reinforced wide spread
foundation dependent on anticipated settlement.
• Frequently, Sub-soil can be improved using vibro treatment, and it
would an economical solution if employed in conjunction with strip or
raft foundation.
Thank you